Pages

a coffee date

It's time for another coffee date! It's been four whole months since our last one. For shame! A coffee date in the form of a blog post is where I pretend I'm sitting across from you at a quaint little table while we sip a yummy drink and chit chat. It's sort of like a random brain dump from me to you. No need to thank me. But you're welcome. (wink)

As we sit down, we'd probably chat about the weather, and about the 10 glorious days of warm temperatures we had around here. I might talk about the freckles that are finding their way onto my arms and face again. I love them. And so does Jeremy. He mentions it every year. I love that.

I'd ask you something like, "So... what's new? or "How's everything going?" Like I always do. And I'd say it like I mean it. Because I do. I really want to know how you are. And I can usually tell if how you're "doing" isn't really how you're doing.

We talk about things in your world for a while, then you ask me how I am.

First, I'd surely gush about how excited I am that it's summer, and that we have no schedule. Except for this week, because the whole family (Jeremy included, because he took the week off to be with us) is spending the week at Vacation Bible School (VBS) at our church. We're in Babylon this year, learning about Daniel's courage in captivity. Jeremy, Drew (our oldest), and I are running the Food Court serving ancient foods (wearing full costume) in the tent city-like marketplace. It's a blast... Day 2 starts tomorrow! Our three grade-schoolers are in the actual program, and our three baby/preschoolers are downstairs in the classes for the leader's little ones. Though I keep baby Emmy with me as much as possible... three hours is a long time! The whole family is loving it so far.

I'd tell you that VBS is taking up most of our energy, but that we're making the most of this vacation time with Jeremy home for 10 days. We're hitting parks, drive-thru windows, ice cream shops, and more. It's been such a good time.

I might even admit that I've been failing miserably eating the way I need to for my health (as I'm being naughty sipping a sugary drink with you.) I can really feel a difference when I cut out the grains, sugar, and diary, but it's been so difficult to do lately. I'd tell you that it's been a constant struggle over the last two years, and that I'm paying for it in my health. I'd also ask you to pray for me in that. Then I'd thank you.

The topic of conversation might move to our kids, because it often does...

You might tell me about what your kids are up to this summer; possibly playing in a soccer league, conquering the great outdoors, or going to summer camp. I'd tell you that our schedules are clear, but that we're looking forward to some June and July birthdays in our household, namely Emmy's first birthday coming in less than two weeks! Also, I'd share that my Mom is flying in to visit us for over a week at the end of June, and that we're super thrilled about that.

Next, I'd ask you what you've been up to for you. Are you engaging in any favorite pastimes or hobbies? I'd tell you shyly as my face turns red, that one of my dreams is coming true this summer.

Along with a friend who has been dreaming with me, I'm traveling to the She Speaks Writer's Conference in July. By myself, with my friend - across the country. Cannot. Believe. It. We have been dreaming of attending for three years now. And, be still my heart, our husbands agreed that this is the year. The conference is put on by Proverbs 31 Ministries and Lysa TerKeurst (who I adore, I can't believe I get to meet her.) We'll be spending just five days away, including two whole days of travel. We're so giddy with excitement we can't stand it. It's been hard for me to think about anything else!

Learning the ins and outs of writing in sessions taught by some of my favorite authors and experts in the area is a DREAM! When God puts a dream in your heart, you've got to start somewhere for it to come to fruition, right? So that's what we're doing. We're starting there.

I'd take a deep breath, sip my drink, and force myself to calm my rapid heart rate while trying to change the subject.

I might ask you if you've ever tried dry shampoo in your hair. It's the stuff I've avoided trying because it sounded like an oxymoron to me. How is shampoo dry? Well, I'd tell you that I folded during a weak moment in the hair products aisle at Target. It was only a couple bucks, and it was probably the cheapest brand. But it's amazing. You might laugh at me, and tell me that you've been using it for years (like when it first came out.) But I'd still tell you how yummy it smells, and how it makes my second day hair so manageable. You see, I never wash my hair two days in a row... I usually have a "do my hair day" and then a "pull my hair back because it's second day hair day." But on that second day, my hair just needs some oomffh to get it back it to it's non-oily self. This does it. Just spray those roots, rub it in, and bam. Good hair.

You might look at your watch, and say that you need to get moving. Maybe my dry shampoo talk scared you off, but either way, I'd look at my phone (because I don't wear watches) and realize I am needing to head out too.

We'd hug (because I'm sort of a hugger) and say farewell in hopes that we don't go four months until our next coffee date.

Now it's your turn! What would you tell me on our coffee date? I'm dying to know.

9 comments on "a coffee date"

Summer are glorious, aren't they? Ah, yes, love the whole no schedule perk! Also... the She Speaks Writer's Conference?!? Some major envy going on here. I'd love to attend one year. That and a blogging conference, too. So cool to be able to meet people "in real life".

Oh my goodness!! I'm thrilled about this coffee date!:) First off, your blog is fabulous! Hi, I'm Christina(we have a few mutual friends in common) as well as I've seen you at the gym in the past though we've never been "formally" introduced. I came across your blog and have been thumbing through all your vast knowledge (and I promise I'm not a stalker) :)It's been placed on my heart for a while now to home school my 10yr old son. He'll be going into 6th grade and I'm SCARED! I've been praying about this for a while and I know what the answer is. DO IT! So tell me, do you have any words of wisdom for someone who's new to this?!? Thanks for your time:)

What a great coffee date...I hope your family continues to enjoy your hubbies time off. I'm so excited for you that you get to attend She Speaks :) You are a beautiful writer and I enjoy your blog so much! It's always a place that is encouraging to my heart. And I love your picture taking skills, even though you say you don't know the capabilities of your camera, it appears you know some ;) What program do you use for your beautiful editing? If you use one...

We are doing well over here. I'm so happy school is out and I have very little planned over the summer as far as scheduling goes. My MIL is visiting next week for 2 weeks. My parents are coming in July for 2 weeks and we haven't seen them in 3 years...I'm so excited I can barely stand it! And in between visits I'm hoping to clean out a bunch of stuff that has built up over time, I trying to let go of being a pack rat and pile maker. If I get rid of more clothes, are you interested in them?

Hobbies...well I'm trying to get my big girl camera out more to take pictures and I'm going to try my hand at some simple scrap booking with the Becky Higgins Project Life system I have. That's about all that's going on down the road here...

Hi Misty! Ooh, sounds like you're going to have some summer fun with company in town. And I hope your anti-pile and pack rat project goes well!

I've been using picmonkey to edit photos (you told me about that one, right?) I love it. I don't have a good one on my computer, and I love the ease of that website! Thanks! And truly, I don't have a clue about my camera... really. It sits on the no flash option and I click away. :) But it'll do for now!

And yes, we're always game for some hand-me-downs - thank you! After your company is gone, we'd love to have you guys for a visit.

Hi Amanda ~ Yes, I did tell you about picmonkey. It is a great site to play with. I've done the same lately, put my camera on the no flash option and click away...and doing that gives me amazing photos without the frustration that comes with trying to learn manual :) After all, we're after memories, not perfect pictures :)

I do have a bag of clothes for you and I plan to bring them by in the next couple of days if that's okay. I would love to get together with you and the kids maybe the first week of August of so.

Hi Amanda, This is Bethany Davis, the one who is a friend of your cousins in Oregon. OK! If I was on a coffee date with you, here's what I would tell you about: I would Oooohhh and Aaaahhh over your sweet kiddos. I would probably talk about the weather for a little bit. I know this comment is late, but if it were still very early summer, I would ramble on about how the summer was just starting, and how I liked the fact that my yearly obligations were over with for THREE WHOLE MONTHS!!!! I would then say how cool it was that I had the ENTIRE SUMMER to rest and do whatever I wanted to within reason. I would probably tell you about our Ladies Church Tea that my Mom and I hosted towards the end of June, and about some of the preparations for that. Then I would mention to you about getting more involved in my Church, and about the singing opportunities that were coming up for me at Church. If it were still June, I would talk about the fact that there were three June Birthdays coming up, and a Birthday in July, for 4 of my nephews. I might even mention to you about getting my then 8 month old puppy on a good walking regiment now that the weather has turned night. By this time, we might both look at our cell phones and realize that we both needed to head out, and then we'd hug goodbye until the next "coffee date" In Christ, Bethany

So, I did not get the clothes to you in the next couple of days... But I will bring them by in the next week because I'll be going back to work next Friday for the new school year and it's on my to-do list.